Star ballgetter Jack Viney was spared the hill sprints — four sets of three uphill runs over 50m — as he continues to recover following post-season hip surgery, and is itching to get back into full duties.

“It’s going really well,” he said.

“I’m getting told to keep patient and trust that the physios and sports science guys know what they’re doing.

“I’m transitioning really well and ticking all the boxes that I need to tick. It’s just a matter of time before ... I transition back into the main group.”

media_cameraJake Melksham and Tom Bugg lead the way as Melbourne players took part in gruelling hill sprints at The Tan. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

Star recruit Jordan Lewis also skipped the tough session and is yet to engage fully in contact drills as he continues in his recovery from a shoulder injury sustained late last season, while star forward Jesse Hogan was a notable absentee after travelling home to Western Australia.

The team also had a new “coach” for the day in nine-year-old Andrew Jeffery, who suffers from Infantile Refsum disease, who “ran” training as part of a Starlight Foundation initiative.

“He taught (ruckman) Maxy Gawn how to do push-ups and touched me up in a couple of arm wrestles,” Viney said. “It’s a special day.”